Page 69 of Writing Mr. Right

“What?” My jaw drops. “I definitely didn’t think Colin would come. Nothing can tear him away from his office at this time of the year.”

“Nothing except your success,” she corrects. “Also, the one with the black hair is cute.”

I poke her in the stomach. “Hey, you’re a married woman now,” I tease. “Your eyes should only be for your husband.”

“Fine, fine,” she relents. “Enough chitchat. We should get out there. I think they’re almost ready to get started.”

Just as she says this, the door opens. Kyle pokes his head through. “We’re ready for you, Ziya!”

Excitement flushes through my body. I nod. “Okay. Let’s go.”

Emily lets go of my hand and walks ahead. I follow her, but Kyle and Emily both move faster than me, and I end up trailingbehind them. Despite the joyful anticipation that runs in my veins, with each step I take closer to the audience area, anxiety creeps along the sides of my body. It builds so much that eventually I stop walking and duck into the teens section. I press my back against the wooden shelves and suck in deep breaths. It does little to even out the nerves, though. I cover my eyes with my hands, trying to regulate my breathing.

It’s weird to think I’m scared about something I’ve wanted my whole life. When you build something up in your head to be the most magical and magnificent thing you could ever do, what happens after that? How do you live? I guess you pick a new dream, but it’s not easy to find one. What if I never do again? What if once this is all over, I have nothing left?

“You’re spiraling,” a new voice says. A pair of hands touch my own, lowering them from my face. “And this is too big a day for me to allow you to spiral.”

I peer up, and my lower lip sticks out in a pout. “You’re late.”

Aashiq squeezes my hands. “I know, I know,” he acknowledges. “But you wouldn’tbelievehow long the line at the bakery was. I thought I could pop in and grab the cookies I wanted and then pop back out. I didn’t realize it’d be so busy.”

“It’s holiday season,” I reason. “You should have figured it’d be busy.”

“I know,” he relents again. “I really do miss having my powers. I could have just conjured all the cookies and then been here on time to catch you before you started freaking out.”

Three years ago, on New Year’s Day, Aashiq’s wish to become real came true. After typingTHE ENDin my outline, I waited for him to disappear. I hoped so hard that my plan would work, but I guess I was more convinced that it wouldn’t than I thought I was, because after we waited a few moments and Aashiq’s form became fully solid, the relief that coursed through my body hit me like a truck. I jumped to my feet and embraced him, and the two of us cried.

We did face some hardships; when he became real, Aashiq lost all his powers, so he had to adjust to being an actual person, with varying levels of success. He’s gotten used to having to get up to get himself something from the fridge, and he makes himself shopping lists so he remembers he needs to buy things from the store now. He got a permanent job in the office, taking my place as the legal secretary when I went off to law school. His proudest achievement was the day he got his official certification. His high level of optimism drives Colin nuts, but Aashiq’s so incredibly happy to be there and do something fulfilling that he doesn’t let it bring him down.

We had to create documents for him to make it seem like he’d been an actual American citizen since he was “born” as a child, and then we had to find him a place to live, because we weren’t married, though we amended that very quickly. He proposed very shortly after the New Year, and then we married in the spring—which Aashiq ended up completely loving, by the way. It’s his favorite season now, and he always eagerly counts down the days until the snow melts and the warm weather returns. We thought about moving into a new place, but my old apartment holds so many memories for us, we’re happy to stay there for now.

What can I say? It may have been fast, but when the physical manifestation of your artistry becomes a whole person for you, it’s not like you’re ever going to break up with them, so instead of dating we went straight to marriage. No one was happier than my mother, who can now fully enjoy her retired life without worrying that her youngest child will be a spinster forever.

And, of course, being my muse, Aashiq still helps me with my writing. I guess the fact that he always needs to be with me can be fulfilled this way, too. He doesn’t have to be in my head as long as he is by my side, which he always will be.

“Ziya?” Aashiq says, and I blink back into attention. “You’re spiraling again.”

“I was reflecting,” I correct. I step forward, pressing the side of my face into his chest. His arms automatically come up around me. “But I…mayhave been spiraling earlier.”

“Of course you were,” he says matter-of-factly. “I may not be psychically connected to you anymore, but I can still read every expression on your face.” He cups my face with his hand and then turns it, so I stare into his eyes. “What’s wrong? This is supposed to be a happy day.”

“I know…” I bite my bottom lip, fisting the material of his jacket. “I’m just nervous.”

“It’s okay to be nervous,” he says. His thumb skims my cheekbone. “Being nervous means it matters to you.” He raises a brow. “But this isn’t about messing things up because I know you’re not scared of that. So, what are you afraid of?”

I swallow thickly. “I’m afraid after tonight, I’ll lose everything,” I whisper. “I stand to lose so much in accomplishing my dreams. I’m afraid the post-debut depression is going to knock me down and I won’t know how to get back up.”

Aashiq hums, curling a strand of hair over his finger. After a few seconds, he says, “That’s a completely valid fear. You spent so many years of your life on a roller coaster that seemed to only go up, but now you’re at the peak, so you’re worried about what’s going to happen when you plunge down. And it could be something terrible.” A smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “But it could also be something wonderful. Don’t think about it as falling. Instead, think of it as the hard part being over. You let the anticipation build and build as you continue inching closer and closer to the peak, and now you’ve made it past the scary bit. You can just enjoy the ride, Ziya. You can’t let the fear of the unknown keep you from getting on the roller coaster, not when you know how exhilarating the thrill of the drop is.” He places his hands on my arms, giving them a gentle squeeze. “As for being afraid to be knocked down—even if youdofall over, remember I’ll always be here to help you back up.”

Warmth curls in my stomach, then spreads out to the rest of my body. “You’re right,” I say. “You’re absolutely right.”

“I love hearing you say that.” Aashiq drops a kiss to my forehead. “Now, you need to get out there.”

“Wait.” I push myself to my tiptoes and throw my arms around his neck. My lips easily find his. He gently loops his own arms around my waist. Even years later, every kiss feels like the first time. I think it’s because neither of us expected to be able to do this beyond the time we initially had together, so it’s a wonder every single time. And it’s one we don’t take for granted. Each moment, each hug, each kiss is a gift. One I’ll cherish forever.

When we pull away, Aashiq kisses my nose. “Okay, I’ll go first. Emily and Kyle must be wondering where you slipped away to, so I’ll tell them you’re ready.”

“Perfect.” I nod. As it always does when I look at him and remember I got to keep him, joy fills me to the brim. “I love you, Aashiq.”

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